CONN 
5 
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,       -;.  S.  Library,  ^— *  ^ 

-E 
CONNECTICUT  no  ^  | 

Agricultural  Experiment  Station 

NEW    HAVEN,    CONN. 


BULLETIN  189,  DECEMBER,  1915 


A  MOSQUITO  SURVEY  AT  THE  MOUTH  OF  THE 
CONNECTICUT  RIVER 


Made  under  the  Direction  of  W.  E.  Brixton,  Ph.D. 
State  and  Station  Entomologist 

BY 

P.  L.  BuTTRiCK,  Special  Agent  of  the  Station 


The  expense  of  making  this  Survey  and  of  printing  this  report 
was  met  by 

The  Old  Saybrook  Town  Improvement  Association 

of  Old  Saybrook. 


The  Bulletins  of  this  Station  are  mailed  free  to  citizens  of  Con- 
necticut who  apply  for  them,  and  to  others  as  far  as  the  editions 
permit. 


CONNECTICUT  AGRICULTURAL  EXPERIMENT  STATION* 


OFFICERS  AND  STAFF. 


BOARD  OF  CONTROL 

His  Excellency,  Marcus  H.  Holcomb,  ex-officio,  President. 

Prof.   H.  W.   Conn,    Vice  President Middletown 

George  A.  Hopson,  Secretary Wallingford 

E.  H.  Jenkins,  Director  and  Treasurer New  Haven 

Joseph   W.   Alsop Avon 

Wilson  H.  Lee Orange 

Frank  H.   Stadtmueller Elmwood 

James    H.    Webb Hamden 

1 


Administration.  E.  H.  Jenkins,    Ph.D.,   Director   and   Treasurer. 

Miss  V.   E.    Cole,  Librarian   and  Stenographer. 

Miss  L.  M.   Brautlecht,   Bookkeeper  and  Stenographer. 

William  Veitch,  In  charge  of  Buildings  and   Grounds. 
Chemistry. 
Analytical  Laboratory.  John  Phillips  Street,  M.S.,   Chemist  in  Charge. 

E.  Monroe  Bailey,  Ph.D.,  C.  B.  Morison,  B.S. 

C.  E.   Shepard,  G.  L.   Davis,  Assistants. 

Hugo  Lange,  Laboratory  Helper. 

V.  L.   Churchill,    Sampling  Agent. 

Miss  E.  B.  Whittlesey,  Stenographer. 


Proteid  Research. 


T.  B.  Osborne,    Ph.D.,   Chemist   in    Charge. 
Miss  E.   L.   Ferry,:  M.S.,  Assistant. 


Botany. 


G.  P.  Clinton,    Sc.D.,    Botanist. 
E.  M.  Stoddard,   B.S.,   Assistant  Botanist. 
Miss  E.  B.  Whittlesey,  Herbarium  Assistant. 
G.  E.  Graham,   General  Assistant. 


Entomology. 


W.    E.    Britton,   Ph.D.,  Entomologist;    State  Entomologist. 

B.   PI.   Walden,    B.Agr.,    First  Assistant. 

Q.  S.  Lowry,  B.Sc,  I.  W.   Davis,  B.Sc,    | 

M.  P.  Zappe,  B.S..  i Assistants. 

Miss  G.  A.  Foote,  B.A.,  Stenographer. 


Forestry. 


Walter  O.   Filley,   Forester;    also  State  Forester 

and  State  Forest  Fire   JJ'arden. 
A.   E.  Moss,  M.F.,  Assistant  Station  Forester. 
Miss  E.   L.  Avery,  Stenographer. 


Plant  Breeding 


Donald  F.  Jones,   B.S.,  Plant  Breeder. 
C.   D.   Hubbell,  .Assistant. 


Vegetable   Growing. 


Howard  F.  Huber,  B.S. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

Introduction    5 

Area   covered    5 

General  Observations   : . .  5 

Observations  on  Mosquito  Breeding  7 

Life  History  of  the  Salt  Marsh  Mosquito  7 

E£Fects  of  the  Tides 7 

Mosquito   drainage    8 

Maintenance  of  Drainage  Ditches   8 

Classification  of  Areas  According  to  Mosquito-breeding  Conditions  9 

Salt  Hay  9 

Map 9 

Estimates   of    Cost    lo 

Summary  of  Costs    ii 

Notes  on  Township  of  Old  Saybrook  12 

Introduction     12 

Salt  Marshes   12 

Detailed  Description  of  Individual  Salt  Marsh  Areas  13 

Chalker  Beach  and  Chapman's  Point  Marshes   14 

Oyster   River   Marsh    14 

Back  River  and  Plum  Bank  Creek  Marshes   15 

South  Cove  and  Fenwick  Point  Marshes  16 

North  Cove  and  Church  House  Marshes  18 

Marshes  north  of  Railroad  Line  19 

Fresh  Water  Breeding  Areas   I9 

Malarial  Breeding  Places I9 

Advisability  of  Controlling  Fresh  Water  Breeding  Places   . .  20 

Kinds  of  Fresh  Water  Breeding  Places   20 

Open  Fresh  Marshes    20 

Wooded  Alarshes   20 

Sink  Holes  20 

Edges  of  Sluggish  Streams   20 

Description  of  Individual  Fresh  Water  Breeding  Places 21 

Summary  of  Costs  for  Saybrook   23 

Notes  on  Townships  of  Lyme  and  Old  Lyme  23 

Detailed    Descriptions    24 

Great  Island  Marsh 24 

Back  River  Marshes    25 

Lieutenant  River  Marsh 25 

Up-River   Marshes    26 

Duck  River  and  Black  Hall  Marshes  26 

Black  Hall  River  Marshes    28 

Shore  Marshes   30 

Summary  of  Costs  for  Lyme  31 


Prefatory  Note. 

The  Director  of  the  Connecticut  Agricultural  Station  is  author- 
ized by  law  to  make  rules  and  orders  regarding  the  elimination 
of  mosquitoes  and  personally  or  by  his  agent  to  enter  premises 
for  inspection  and  to  survey  and  to  eliminate  by  drainage,  filling 
or  otherwise  treating  mosquito-breeding  areas.  Due  notice  of 
the  proposed  plan  of  elimination  must  be  given  by  him,  and  any 
one  claiming  to  be  aggrieved  by  the  proposed  operations  may 
appeal  to  the  Superior  Court. 

No  funds  are  provided  by  the  State  for  the  purposes  of  this 
act  and  therefore  the  work  of  mosquito  elimination  can  be  under- 
taken only  at  the  expense  of  individuals  or  local  organizations. 

The  following  survey  was  made  at  the  request  and  at  the 
expense  of  The  Old  Saybrook  Town  Improvement  Association. 
Dr.  W.  E.  Britton,  the  State  and  Station  Entomologist,  who  has 
had  years  of  experience  and  study  of  the  mosquito  problem  in 
this  State,  was  given  the  general  superintendence  of  the  matter 
and  the  survey  itself  was  made  by  Mr.  P.  L.  Buttrick.  Mr.  But- 
trick  has  made  a  number  of  mosquito  surveys  in  other  parts  of 
the  State  and  the  principles  of  work  and  form  of  the  present 
survey  will  have  interest  and  value  to  other  communities  which 
are  considering  the  elimination  of  mosquitoes.  The  object  of 
such  a  survey  is  to  ascertain  the  location  and  character  of  mos- 
quito-breeding places,  to  determine  how  they  can  best  be  elimi- 
nated and  to  roughly  estimate  the  probable  cost.  It  is  believed 
that  this  survey,  with  the  accompanying  map,  makes  it  possible 
for  those  interested  to  decide  what  work  is  most  necessary,  where 
money  can  best  be  spent  and  the  approximate  cost  of  any  portion 
or  of  all  the  work. 

E.  H.  Jenkins,  Director. 


REPORT  ON  A  MOSQUITO  SURVEY  AT  THE 
MOUTH  OF  THE  CONNECTICUT  RIVER 

By  p.  L.  Buttrick,  Special  Agent 

OF   THE 

Connecticut  Agricultural  Experiment  Station 

New  Haven,  Conn. 


AUGUST-SEPTEMBER,  1915 


Introduction. 


Area  Covered.  This  survey  covers  all  the  salt  and  brackish 
marshes  in  the  townships  of  Old  Saybrook  and  Old  Lyme, 
together  with  portions  of  those  in  Essex  and  Lyme.  Particular 
attention  has  been  given  to  the  marshes  bordering  the  river. 
Fresh  marshes  and  other  mosquito-breeding  places  have  been 
included  where  it  seemed  that  they  were  of  sufficient  importance 
to  warrant  it.  In  many  cases  the  notes  on  fresh  water  areas  are 
not  as  complete  as  those  on  the  salt  marsh  areas.  The  notes  for 
the  towns  on  opposite  sides  of  the  river  are  given  separately. 
In  Saybrook  the  notes  on  salt  and  fresh  water  areas  are  separated  ; 
in  Lyme  this  was  impracticable  though  when  possible  the  esti- 
mates are  given  separately. 

General  Observations  on  Salt  Marshes.  The  region  of  this 
survey  contains  probably  the  largest  group  of  salt  marshes  in 
the  state  east  of  New  Haven.  The  total  area  of  salt  and  brackish 
marshes  is : 

Old  Saybrook    1,373-5  acres 

Old  Lyme    1,383.1       " 

Lyme 492.5       " 

Total  3,249.1       " 

These  marshes  vary  in  character  in  proportion  to  the  amount 
of  submergence  which  they  undergo  by  action  of  the  tide.  There 
are  at  least  four  classes  as  follows : 


6  CONNECTICUT    EXPERIMENT    STATION    BULLETIN    189. 

Areas  covered  with  wild  rice  (Zisania  aquatica)  and  vege- 
tation of  like  nature  which  are  flooded  either  constantly  or  at 
every  high  tide.  They  are  known  as  tidal  flats  and  do  not  breed 
mosquitoes.  No  areas  of  this  class  are  shown  on  the  accom- 
panying map. 

The  next  class  includes  the  so-called  sedge  grass  marshes 
which  are  quite  generally  flooded  at  perigee  and  apogee  tides  and 
upon  which  water  frequently  stands  for  a  considerable  time 
thereafter.  Marshes  of  this  character  are  inveterate  mosquito 
breeders.  The  vegetation  upon  them,  although  sometimes  cut 
for  hay,  is  generally  of  inferior  value. 

Marshes  less  frequently  flooded  and  standing  at  a  higher 
level  than  those  just  mentioned  constitute  the  next  class.  They 
are  generally  covered  with  hay  grasses  of  various  kinds,  the 
most  common  of  which  are  popularly  called  black  grass  (Juncus 
gerardi)  and  red  top,  or  red  salt  grass  (Spartina  patens,  formerly 
known  as  S.  juncea).  These  marshes  breed  mosquitoes  more 
or  less,  but  only  under  very  exceptional  conditions  do  they  breed 
them  as  abundantly  as  the  preceding. 

As  the  marsh  stretches  further  and  further  back  from 
the  shore  it  is  less  frequently  flooded  by  salt  water  and  more 
frequently  by  fresh  water.  This  change  shows  in  the  vegeta- 
tion, which  is  usually  composed  either  of  a  sedge  called  3-square, 
(Scirpus),  from  the  triangular  shape  of  its  stems ;  or  of  cat-tails. 
Such  areas  vary  from  brackish  to  entirely  fresh,  but  when  the 
latter  stage  is  reached,  the  nature  of  this  herbage  changes  to 
that  of  some  of  the  types  of  purely  fresh  marshes.  Marshes  of 
this  type  are  casual  breeding  places,  sometimes  breeding  both 
salt  and  fresh  water  mosquitoes.  The  borders  of  many  of  the 
marshes,  particularly  on  the  Lyme  side  of  the  river,  consist  of 
tidal  flats. 

The  Sound  marshes,  particularly  on  the  Saybrook  side,  are 
mostly  of  the  second  or  sedge  grass  type  and  tlie  same  is  true 
of  those  at  the  mouth  of  Black  Hall  River  and  on  South  Cove, 
and  it  is  upon  them  that  the  worst  mosquito  breeding  takes 
place.  Further  back  most  of  the  marshes  are  of  the  hay  grass 
type.  Above  the  railroad  bridge  they  become  less  and  less  salt 
in  character  and  finally  above  Essex  the  salt  marsh  entirely 
disappears. 


REGARDING    MOSQUITOES    AND    THEIR    BREEDING.  ^ 

Along  the  Sound  shore  of  Lyme  conditions  are  somewhat  dif- 
ferent. Here  the  tidal  current  sweeps  in  from  the  east  and  the 
heavy  east  winds  which  blow  from  the  open  Atlantic  have  piled 
up  the  sands  along  the  shore  and  partly  or  completely  blocked 
the  marsh  drainage,  turning  many  salt  marshes  into  fresh  ones 
without  outlets,  or  into  brackish  ones  with  only  occasional  out- 
lets. As  far  as  mosquito  breeding  is  concerned,  these  factors 
have  produced  rather  special  conditions  which  will  be  discussed 
later. 

Observations  on  Mosquito  Breeding.  No  attempt  was  made 
to  identify  all  the  species  of  mosquitoes  found.  They  were  grouped 
into  the  general  classes  of  salt  marsh  species,  fresh  water  species, 
and  malarial  species.  The  most  common  mosquito  is  the  ordinary 
banded  Salt  Marsh  Mosquito  (Aedes  sollicitans,  Walker),  which 
breeds  in  flood  pools  wherever  they  occur  on  the  salt  marshes. 
This  species  was  found  breeding  under  somewhat  unusual  con- 
ditions far  up  the  river  above  the  area  of  salt  marshes,  both 
in  drainage  ditches  on  Nott's  Island,  which  is  a  reclaimed  fresh 
marsh,  and  in  a  mud  puddle  in  the  road  on  the  edge  of  the 
Essex  marsh  just  up  stream  from  the  second  Range  Light.  At 
the  edges  of  salt  marshes  and  along  the  river,  where  owing  to 
the  influx  of  fresh  water  the  saline  content  was  light,  salt  and 
fresh  water  mosquitoes  were  apparently  breeding  in  the  same 
pools. 

Concerning  the  fresh  water  breeding  perhaps  the  most  note- 
worthy feature  is  the  presence  of  numerous  sink  holes  which 
form  ideal  Anopheles  breeding  places. 

Life  History  of  Salt  Marsh  Mosquito.  In  order  to  under- 
stand the  mosquito  problem  on  salt  marshes,  some  knowledge 
of  the  life  history  of  the  salt  marsh  mosquito  is  necessary.  The 
eggs  are  laid  upon  the  salt  marsh  mud,  and  not,  as  with  most 
species  of  mosquitoes,  on  the  surface  of  the  water.  When  cov- 
ered with  water  they  hatch,  and  in  about  a  week,  in  warm  weather, 
the  adults  are  ready  to  fly.  They  then  invade  the  uplands,  often 
flying  in  large  numbers  for  many  miles.  The  salt  marshes  are 
covered  periodically  by  high  tides  and  irregularly  by  heavy  rains. 

Effects  of  the  Tides.  Generally  speaking,  the  breeding  of 
the  salt  marsh  mosquito  is  much  more  affected  by  the  tides  than 
by  rainfall.     Under  typical  conditions  the  marshes  are  flooded 


8  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT    STATION    BULLETIN    189. 

once  or  twice  a  month  at  perigee  and  apogee,  and  definite  broods 
of  mosquitoes  are  produced  once  or  twice  a  month  in  consequence 
and  can  be  predicted  in  advance.  This  is  the  condition  on 
marshes  along  streams  emptying  directly  into  the  Sound,  par- 
ticularly at  Saybrook;  but  on  marshes  along  the  river  this  con- 
dition is  complicated  by  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  river  due  to  local 
or  more  often  upstream  rainfall,  so  that  it  is  impossible  accurately 
to  predict  the  time  of  flooding  and  the  resulting  appearance  of 
mosquito  broods.  In  fact,  flooding  at  irregular  intervals  by 
fresh  water  is  the  normal  condition  on  the  up-river  marshes, 
so  that  in  dry  seasons  they  probably  breed  sparingly  if  at  all, 
and  in  wet  seasons  moderately  but  continuously.  Above  the 
railroad  bridge  the  influence  of  tides  on  mosquito  breeding  grows 
less  and  at  Essex  and  beyond  it  is  negligible. 

Mosquito  Drainage.  In  order  to  prevent  the  breeding  of  the 
salt  marsh  mosquito  it  is  only  necessary  to  prevent  flood  water 
from  standing  on  the  marshes.  This  is  generally  accomplished 
by  putting  in  a  system  of  ditches  which  allows  water  to  drain 
off  within  a  few  hours  after  the  marsh  is  flooded  by  tides  or 
rainfall.  Such  a  system  requires  a  good  clear  outlet  and  a  main 
drainage  course  of  dimensions  suited  to  the  size  of  the  area. 

A  system  of  parallel  ditches  from  lo  to  i8  inches  wide  and 
from  24  to  36  inches  deep  should.be  cut  at  distances  varying 
from  100  to  300  feet  apart,  at  right  angles  to  this  main  course. 

Most  of  the  marshes  at  Lyme  and  Saybrook  have  main  drain- 
age courses  which  can  be  used  as  a  groundwork  for  ditching 
systems,  although  in  some  cases  it  will  be  necessary  to  modify  or 
supplement  them.  There  are  also  many  old  ditches  which  if 
cleaned  can  be  incorporated  as  part  of  the  new  system. 

Maintenance  of  Drainage  Ditches.  Deep  straight-sided 
ditches  such  as  are  used  for  mosquito  drainage  will  last  almost 
indefinitely  if  they  are  kept  open  and  in  working  order.  They 
should  be  thoroughly  cleaned  every  year,  in  the  spring,  and  it  is 
advisable  to  have  them  patrolled  during  the  breeding  season  and 
any  casual  obstructions  removed.  Occasional  breeding  spots 
can  also  be  treated  when  discovered.  In  all  probability  it  will 
require  two  inspectors  to  do  this  patrol  work  and  assist  and 
supervise  the  annual  cleaning  operation.  One  inspector  should 
be  assigned  to  each  town.  The  cost  of  such  cleaning  and 
inspection  should  not  exceed  $1,000.00  per  annum. 


CLASSIFICATION    OF    MOSQUITO-BREEDING   AREAS.  9 

According  to  a  recent  law  passed  by  the  Legislature,  towns 
are  obliged  to  maintain  such  ditches  if  the  plan  and  execution 
of  the  work  are  duly  approved  by  the  Director  of  the  Agricultural 
Experiment  Station. 

Salt  Hay.  Formerly  the  marshes  of  Lyme  and  Saybrook 
were  regarded  as  of  more  value  than  at  present  as  sources  of 
salt  hay  and  were  ditched  frequently  so  as  to  allow  tide  water  to 
drain  off  as  this  increases  the  hay  yield  and  improves  its  quality. 
Some  of  the  meadows  are  still  ditched  for  this  purpose  but  on 
many  of  them  the  ditches  are  no  longer  maintained. 

This  ditching  of  hay  land  operates  to  prevent  mosquito  breed- 
ing and  there  are  few  mosquitoes  breeding  on  the  areas  so  treated. 
On  the  other  hand,  ditching  to  eliminate  mosquitoes  improves  the 
hay  yield.  If  all  marshes  were  ditched  to  increase  the  hay  yield 
there  would  be  few  mosquitoes,  or  if  all  were  ditched  to  prevent 
mosquito  breeding  there  would  be  a  vastly  increased  hay  yield. 

Map.  The  map  submitted  with  this  report  shows  all  the 
salt  marshes  examined  and  most  of  them  very  accurately.  A  few 
dotted  areas  were  mapped  in  roughly  in  the  field  as  the  base 
map  did  not  cover  them.  This  map  shows  the  larger  ditches  and 
drainage  channels  and  in  some  cases  the  proposed  location  of 
new  main  ditches,  but  it  does  not  show  the  location  of  proposed 
small  ditches  as  those  can  as  well  be  laid  out  in  the  field  and 
would  scarcely  show  on  the  map  owing  to  its  reduced  scale.  Each 
area  which  forms  a  unit  has  been  assigned  a  number  which  is 
placed  upon  the  map.  A  description  of  the  area  will  be  found 
by  reference  to  the  same  number  in  the  notes.  Those  on  the 
Saybrook  side  refer  to  that  town  and  to  Essex;  those  on  the 
opposite  side  to  Lyme  and  Old  Lyme.  A  cross  indicates  a  bad 
breeding  place  or  point  requiring  special  consideration.  The 
charts  of  the  U.  S.  Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey  were  used  as  a 
base  map. 

Classification  of  Areas  According  to  Mosquito-breeding 

Conditions. 

In  order  to  bring  out  clearly  the  breeding  conditions  and  rela- 
tive importance  of  the  different  marsh  areas  they  have  been 
divided  into  five  groups  on  the  basis  of  their  breeding  character, 
and  each  group  is  colored  differently  on  the  map. 

Following  is  a  description  of  these  different  groups : 


lO  CONNECTICUT    EXPERIMENT    STATION    BULLETIN    189. 

A.  Low  sodden  marshes,  flooded  at  every  perigee  and  apogee 
tide  period,  and  at  many  intermediate  ones.  This  water  remains 
long  enough  for  all  mosquito  larvae  to  complete  their  develop- 
ment. Such  areas  respond  quickly  to  rainfall  and  may  produce 
added  broods  because  of  it.  Such  marshes  are  almost  constant 
mosquito  breeders  and  yield  little  salt  hay.  They  are  colored 
m^fmon  the  accompanying  map. 

B.  High  tide  grass  breeding  marshes.  Marshes  of  this  kind 
have  large  areas  covered  with  certain  grasses  or  sedges  where 
water  stands  long  enough  twice  each  month,  following  perigee 
and  apogee  tides,  for  mosquitoes  to  develop.  In  other  portions 
mosquito  breeding  may  occur  only  at  perigee  tides.  It  is  the 
areas  of  Class  B  that  give  rise  to  the  immense  broods  which 
occur  only  once  or  twice  in  a  season.  In  discussing  the  different 
areas  of  this  type  of  marsh  an  attempt  has  been  made  to  give 
an  estimate  of  the  percentage  of  the  total  area  which  remains 
water-covered  long  enough  to  breed  mosquitoes.  Hay  yields 
on  this  type  of  meadow  are  apt  to  be  small.  Areas  of  this 
character  are  colored'gFayon  the  map. 

C.  Marshes  covered  with  open  or  grassy  pools  in  which 
mosquitoes  breed  abundantly.  In  this  class  of  marsh  the  general 
surface  may  or  may  not  be  capable  of  breeding  mosquitoes,  so 
in  the  descriptions  it  is  sometimes  necessary  to  resort  to  other 
classifications  in  addition  to  this  one.  The  hay  yield  may  be 
good,  but  the  broken  character  of  the  surface  renders  it  difficult 
to  cut.  Marsh  of  this  character  is  colored  red  on  the  accom- 
panying map. 

D.  Marshes  on  which  mosquitoes  breed  occasionally  and  scat- 
teringly,  either  in  grass  or  pools.  Generally  these  are  fair  or 
good  hay  producers.    They  are  colored  green  on  the  map. 

E.  Marshes  which  breed  only  casually  or  rarely  and  only  in 
small  amotmts,  generally  in  small  pools  along  their  inner  edges, 
or  perhaps  in  clogged  ditches.  Marshes  of  this  type  are  generally 
either  tidal  or  are  high  and  well  drained.  The  latter  are  valuable 
for  salt  hay,  the  former  seldom  so.  This  type  of  marsh  is  colored 
yellow  on  the  map. 

Estimate  of  Cost  of  Ditching  and  other  Work  Necessary  to 
Eliminate  Mosquito  Breeding.  One  object  of  this  survey  was 
of  course  to  arrive  at  the  probable  cost  of  treating  the  marshes 


ESTIMATED    COST    OF    ELIMINATING   BREEDING   AREAS.  I  I 

SO  as  to  prevent  mosquito  breeding.     In  preparing  this  estimate 
the  following  factors  were  considered  for  each  area : 

Amount  of  old  ditch  to  be  cleaned ; 
Footage  of  lateral  lo"  x  30"  ditch  to  be  excavated ; 
Footage  of  secondary  outlet,  generally  2'  x  3'  ditches  required ; 
Footage  of  primary  ditches  of  larger  dimensions  required ; 
Amount  of  special  work,  such  as  building  and  enlarging  cul- 
verts, erecting  tide  gates,  bulkheads,  etc. 

The  cost  of  each  was  then  estimated,  in  the  case  of  ditch  dig- 
ging by  applying  a  footage  rate;  in  the  case  of  cleaning  old 
ditches  and  doing  other  work  by  figuring  roughly  the  amount 
of  labor  and  materials  required.  The  footage  rate  for  10"  x  30" 
lateral  ditches  is  taken  as  2^/2  cents  per  foot ;  for  2'  x  3'  secondary 
ditching  5  cents  per  foot  is  used.  For  larger  ditches  special 
rates  have  been  used  and  specified.  Likewise  special  rates  for  the 
different  fresh  water  areas  have  been  made  to  meet  their  special 
conditions. 

Summary  of  Costs. 

It  should  cost  roughly  $19,000.00  to  eliminate  all  the  salt  marsh 
and  more  important  fresh  water  breeding  areas  in  the  region  of 
this  survey.  But  $15,000.00  spent  on  the  salt  marshes  should 
be  sufficient  for  them,  while  $2,000.00  spent  on  the  important 
fresh  water  areas  should  suffice  for  all  practical  purposes.  Total 
$17,000.00. 

Following  is  a  summary  of  the  amount  of  ditching  and  costs 
in  round  figures : 

AREA    SALT    MARSHES. 

Areas  of  Old  Saybrook    i,375  acres 

"       Old  Lyme 1,380 

"       Lyme   490       " 

Total 3.245       " 

DITCHING  REQUIRED  : 

10  X  30-inch  laterals  Old  Saybrook    236,500  feet 

"  "  "        Old  Lyme  265,000      " 

"  "  "         Lyme   10,000      " 

Total 511,500     " 


12  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT    STATION    BULLETIN    189. 

2  X  3-foot  secondary  ditch  Old  Saybrook   10,700  feet 

"        "  "  "       Old  Lyme 200     " 

Total 10,900     " 

Larger  special  ditches  Old  Saybrook 3, 100     " 

cost: 

Cleaning  old  ditches  Old  Saybrook $   400.00 

"            "         "        Old  Lyme    250.00 

Cutting  lateral  ditches  Old  Saybrook 5,900.00 

"             "             "       Old  Lyme 6,850.00 

"             "             "       Lyme  250.00 

Digging  of  2x3-foot  ditches  Old  Saybrook 550.00 

"          "      "        '■          "        Old  Lyme 50.00 

Special  ditches  Old  Saybrook 400.00 

Cost  of  special  work  Old  Saybrook  550.00 

"      "        "           "       Old  Lyme 700.00 

Total  cost  for  salt  marshes  $15,900.00 

By  eliminating  certain  areas  as  mentioned  in  the  notes  this  sum 
could  be  reduced  to  the  neighborhood  of  $15,000.00. 

The  rough  estimate  of  the  fresh  water  areas  made  under  con- 
ditions mentioned  above  is : 

Old  Saybrook $1,200.00 

Essex 900.00 

Old  Lyme 800.00 

Total $2,900.00 

Grand  Total  $18,800.00 

Notes  on  Township  of  Old  Saybrook. 
introduction. 

In  Old  Saybrook  Township  the  breeding  areas  have  been 
divided  into  two  classes,  salt  marsh  and  fresh  water  areas,  and 
each  is  discussed  separately.  The  salt  marshes  being  the  more 
important  are  discussed  first. 

salt  marshes. 

The  salt  marshes  may  further  be  divided  more  or  less  naturally 
into  six  groups  as  follows: 

Chalker  Beach  and  Chapman's  Point  Marshes   (Nos.  1-3  on 
map). 


SURVEY  OF  TOWN  OF  OLD  SAYBROOK.  1 3 

Oyster  River  Marshes  (Nos.  3-7  on  map). 

Back  River  and  Plum  Bank  Creek  Marshes  (Nos.  8-21  on 
map). 

South  Cove  and  Fenwick  Point  Marshes  (Nos,  22-40  on  map). 

North  Cove  and  Church  House  Marshes  (Nos,  41-48  on  map). 

Marshes  north  of  railroad  line  (Nos.  48-52  on  map). 

Of  these  groups,  the  first,  third  and  fourth  are  the  most 
important — ^not  so  much  because  of  their  proximity  to  the  settled 
portion  of  the  town  as  because  of  their  breeding  qualities. 
Marshes  north  of  the  railroad  are  both  remote  and  largely  non- 
breeding  and  therefore  of  comparatively  little  importance.  The 
Oyster  River  and  North  Cove  and  Church  House  marshes  are 
moderate  breeders  and  close  enough  to  the  settled  portions  of  the 
town  to  require  consideration  but  excepting  the  marshes  north 
of  the  railroad  are  less  important  than  the  others. 

H  there  is  only  a  limited  sum  of  money  available  so  that  only 
a  portion  of  the  area  can  be  treated,  the  above  will  serve  as  a 
guide  to  indicate  the  sections  which  can  best  be  omitted. 

Detailed  Description  of  Individual  Salt  Marsh 
Breeding  Areas. 

The  following  points  regarding  individual  breeding  areas  are 
taken  up : 

Location  of  Area,  Each  area  is  numbered  and  in  some  cases 
also  named.  These  numbers  and  names  also  occur  upon  the  map 
and  afford  a  ready  means  of  locating  it. 

Grade  of  Breeding.  Expressed  by  letters  from  A  to  E,  the 
significance  of  which  has  been  explained  on  pages  9  and  10.  In 
the  case  of  grass  breeding  areas,  a  figure  giving  approximate 
percentage  of  the  surface  of  the  marsh  capable  of  breeding 
mosquitoes  is  also  given. 

Size  of  Area.    Given  in  acres  and  tenths  of  acres. 

Vegetation  and  Value  of  Salt  Hay.    Brief  description  only. 

Work  Necessary  to  Eliminate  Mosquito  Breeding.  Gives 
footage  of  ditching  of  various  sizes  required  as  well  as  other 
work  necessary.  The  requirements  for  lateral  ditch  of  10"  x  24"- 
30"  dimensions  are  given  in  terms  of  the  average  distance  apart 
these  ditches  should  be  placed.  The  common  distances  are  150 
and  200  feet.    They  are  expressed  thus:   1/150,  1/200,  etc. 


14  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT    STATION    BULLETIN    189. 

Cost.  This  is  figured  in  accord  with  the  footage  rates  given 
on  section  9,  page  8,  of  the  Introduction. 

Descriptions. 
Chalker  Beach  and  Chapman's  Point  Marshes. 

1.  Class  B,  40  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  23.3  acres  (approxi- 
mate). Hay  very  poor.  The  outlet  of  this  marsh  is  a  channel  parallel 
to  the  beach  and  drains  into  area  No.  2,  but  it  is  blocked  by  the  roadway 
to  Chalker  Beach.  A  culvert  should  be  placed  under  this  road  at  a  cost  of 
perhaps  $100.00.  A  1/200  ditch  system  should  be  constructed.  Footage 
required,  4,850.     Cost,  $121.25.     With  culvert,  $221.25. 

2.  Class  B,  with  25  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  93.3  acres.  Hay 
poor,  but  cut  to  some  extent.  This  marsh  has  a  number  of  sodden  cove- 
like areas  where  breeding  is  intensive.  Most  of  these  have  ditches  into 
them  but  they  are  badly  blocked  and  should  be  reopened  and  a  new  1/200 
system  dug.    Footage  required,  19,400.  .  Cost,  $485.00. 

3.  Class  B,  with  85  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  4.5  acres,  on  which 
the  hay  is  cut.  This  marsh  is  a  particularly  bad  breeder  because  the  main 
drain  is  largely  choked  and  the  outlet  is  almost  entirely  blocked  by 
cottages.  This  main  ditch  should  be  opened  {^yi:^  feet)  and  the  outlet 
restored.  Perhaps  a  2-foot  tile  drain  50  feet  across  the  beach  would  insure 
this  outlet  being  kept  open.  Cost,  about  $75.00.  Lateral  ditches,  1/150 
feet,  should  also  be  cut.  Amount  of  ditching  required,  1,250.  Cost,  $31.25. 
Total  cost,  cleaning,  ditching  and  installing  drain,  $106.25. 

Oyster  River  Marsh. 

4.  Class  B,  10  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Chiefly  at  the  lower  end. 
Area,  13.6  acres.  Hay  mostly  sedge,  but  is  cut.  A  few  old  ditches  run- 
ning into  odd  corners  should  be  opened  and  a  1/200  system  of  lateral 
ditches  cut.    Footage  required,  6,300.     Cost,  $157.50. 

5.  A  Class  D  area  of  6.5  acres.  Upper  end  fresh,  but  marsh  should  be 
treated  as  a  unit.  It  produces  good  black  grass  hay  but  is  rapidly  deteri- 
orating owing  to  obstruction  of  ditches  and  will  soon  be  breeding  as  a 
Class  B  area.  The  culvert  under  roadway  should  be  enlarged  to  3  feet  in 
diameter  and  a  tide-gate  installed.  Probable  cost,  $200.00.  A  2-foot  ditch 
should  be  dug  through  the  center  of  this  area  and  a  1/150  system  of  laterals 
cut.  Footage,  main  ditch,  800;  cost,  $40.00;  laterals,  1,800;  cost,  $45.00. 
Total  cost,  $285.00. 

6.  Class  B,  40  per  cent,  breeding  surface,  except  at  upper  end  near 
railroad  where  it  is  Class  C  west  of  creek  and  Class  D  east.  Area,  45.4 
acres.  Formerly  a  good  hay  meadow  but  now  largely  sedge  grass  with 
many  bare  spots.  Requires  a  1/150  ditching  system  over  whole  marsh  and 
the  reopening  of  main  ditches  into  various  ends.  Footage  required,  13,200. 
Cost,  $330.00. 


SURVEY    OF    TOWN    OF    OLD    SAYBROOK.  1 5 

7.  Class  E,  lower  end,  C,  and  a  B  area  as  indicated  by  X.  Area,  42.1 
acres  (approximate).  Salt  marsh  changing  into  fresh.  Cat-tails  and 
3-square  grass.  Upper  end  probably  a  fresh  water  breeder  but  rather 
remote  to  be  of  much  consequence.  Tide  gate  where  road  crosses  is  in 
poor  condition  and  needs  repairing.  If  this  marsh  is  entirely  ditched  a 
1/200  system  should  be  installed.  Footage,  8,800.  Cost,  $220.00.  But  1,500 
feet  at  lower  end  near  railroad  might  answer  all  practical  purposes  and 
cost  would  be  only  $37.50. 

Back  River  and  Phtin  Bank  Creek  Marshes. 

8.  Class  B,  along  shores  of  island  Class  A.  Fifty  per  cent,  breeding 
surface  in  Class  B  portion.  Area,  56.4  acres.  Hay  thin,  mostly  sedge 
grass.     Requires  a  1/150  ditching  system.     Footage,  16,300.     Cost,  $407.50. 

9.  Class  C.  Area,  4.5  acres.  Hay  good  but  cannot  be  cut  with  machine 
on  account  of  pools.  Requires  a  1/200  ditching  system.  Footage,  900. 
Cost,  $22.50. 

10.  Class  B,  10  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  53.1  acres.  Numerous 
sodden  cove-like  portions,  some  cut  off  by  roadway.  Hay  fair  in  spots, 
mostly  sedge  grass.  All  old  ditches  should  be  reopened  and  culverts 
placed  under  roadway.  Cost,  $25.00  more  or  less.  Cut  a  1/150  ditching 
system.    Footage,  15,400.     Cost,  $385.00.    Total  cost,  $410.00. 

11.  Class  B,  10  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  17.8  acres.  Hay  very 
thin.  An  old  roadway  to  island  was  made  by  throwing  a  dike  across  a 
branch  of  the  creek.  This  should  be  cleared  away  and  a  bridge  sub- 
stituted to  secure  rapid  draining  of  sodden  areas  up  stream.  It  would  be 
about  a  week's  work  for  one  man  to  clear  away  this  old  dike.  Cost,  $10.00- 
$15.00.  Besides  that  a  1/150  system  of  ditches  should  be  installed.  Foot- 
age, 5,200.    Cost,  $130.00.    Total  cost,  $145.00-$! 50.00. 

(See  No.  17  for  description  of  channel  draining  through  this  area.) 

12.  Class  D.  (Owing  to  influence  of  a  few  local  ditches.)  Area,  8.4 
acres.  It  should  be  treated  along  with  rest  of  marsh  and  a  1/150 
system  dug  using  old  ditches  where  possible.  Hay  fair.  Footage  required, 
2,400.    Cost,  $60.00. 

13.  Class  B,  20  per  cent,  breeding  surface,  upper  end  covered  with  cat- 
tail. Area,  6.5  acres.  No  hay  to  amount  to  anything.  Open  main  drain, 
2x3  feet,  and  cut  1/150  laterals.  Footage  required:  main  ditch,  1,000; 
laterals,  1,900.    Cost:   main  ditch,  $50.00;    laterals,  $47.50;    total,  $97.50. 

14.  Class  B,  25  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  20.1  acres.  Hay  very 
scant.  Clean  present  ditches  as  indicated  on  map  and  add  a  1/150  ditching 
system.  Footage :  cleaning,  900 ;  new  ditches,  5,800.  Cost :  cleaning, 
$22.50;    new  ditches,  $145.00.     Total,  $167.50. 

15.  Class  E.  Cat-tail  marsh.  Area  less  than  I  acre.  Open  main  drain- 
age course,  length,  350  feet.    Cost,  $8.75. 


1 6  CONNECTICUT    EXPERIMENT    STATION    BULLETIN    1 89. 

16.  Class  B,  50  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  16.2  acres.  Open 
2  X  3-foot  channels  into  various  cove-like  areas  as  per  map  and  add  1/150 
system  of  lateral  ditches.  Footage:  2-foot  channels,  2,000;  laterals,  4,700. 
Cost:  main  channel,  $100.00;   laterals,  $117.50.    Total,  $217.50. 

17.  Class  B  (A  along  western  edge),  breeding  surface  90  per  cent, 
potential,  probably  never  attains  this  figure  or  anything  like  it,  as  fish  are 
apparently  always  present  in  some  of  the  pools.  Area,  71.3  acres.  Hay 
largely  valueless.  So  much  water  remains  upon  this  area  most  of  the 
time  that  it  will  be  necessary  to  reopen  the  half  obliterated  channel  east 
of  the  island  through  No.  11.  This  channel  should  be  made  at  least  4  feet 
deep  and  3  feet  wide.  The  present  channel  should  be  cleaned  and 
straightened  and  extended  to  the  upper  end  of  the  marsh  so  as  to  connect 
with  the  various  fresh  water  breeding  areas  draining  into  it.  2  x  3-foot 
ditches  should  also  be  dug  into  the  various  corners  as  shown  on  the  map 
and  a  1/200  system  installed.  Footage:  new  outlet,  1,300;  extension  of 
main  ditch,  3,500;  laterals,  12,700.  Cost:  new  outlet,  $130.00;  extension 
main  ditch,  $175.00;   laterals,  $317.50.    Total,  $622.50. 

18.  Qass  B  and  C,  40  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  6.5  acres. 
One-third  sedge  grass  hay.  Requires  1/150  ditching  system.  Footage, 
1,900.    Cost,  $47.50. 

19.  Class  B  and  C,  35  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  36.9  acres. 
No  hay.    Requires  1/150  ditching  system.    Footage,  10,700.    Cost,  $267.50. 

20.  Class  B  and  C,  50  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  33.0  acres. 
No  hay.    Ditching  system,  1/200.    Footage,  6,900.    Cost,  $172.50. 

21.  Class  B,  85  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  18.8  acres.  No  hay. 
Open  new  ditch  2x3  feet  into  corner  as  indicated  by  map  and  ditch  1/200. 
Footage:  2-foot  ditch,  1,200;  laterals,  4,000.  Cost:  2-foot  ditch,  $60.00; 
laterals,  $100.00.    Total,  $160.00. 

South  Cove  and  Fenwick  Point  Marshes. 

22.  Class  B,  20  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  13  acres.  Hay  fair. 
Clean  upper  ends  of  existing  ditches  and  add  a  1/150  system.  Footage, 
3,800.    Cost,  $95.00. 

23.  Class  A.  Area,  6.5  acres.  Hay  of  little  or  no  value.  Make  extra 
outlet  (2x3  feet)  through  neck  of  highland,  which  is  only  i  foot  above 
marsh  level,  as  shown  on  map,  and  cut  i/ioo  laterals.  Footage :  new  out- 
let, 670;  laterals,  2,500.  Cost:  new  outlet,  $35.00;  laterals,  $62.50.  Total, 
$97-50. 

24.  Class  B,  A  along  inner  edge.  Forty  per  cent,  breeding  surface. 
Area,  3.2  acres.  Hay  fair.  New  ditches,  1/150.  Footage  required,  900. 
Cost,  $22.50. 


SURVEY    OF   TOWN    OF   OLD    SAYBROOK.  1 7 

25.  Class  B,  15  per  cent,  breeding.  Area,  58.3  acres.  Good  hay 
meadow  but  beginning  to  deteriorate.  Larger  ditches  in  fair  shape  but 
smaller  ones  badly  choked  and  need  cleaning.  New  ditches  required 
1/200  system.  Footage:  old  ditches  to  be  cleaned,  2,800;  new  ditches, 
12,000.  Cost :  cleaning  old  ditches,  $70.00 ;  digging  new  ones,  $300.00. 
Total,  $370.00. 

26.  Class  A.  Area,  3.2  acres ;  no  hay.  Open  main  channel  2x3  feet, 
length  350  feet,  and  ditch  i/ioo.  Footage,  1,300.  Cost:  main  ditch,  $18.00; 
laterals,  $32.50.    Total,  $50.50. 

27.  Class  B,  20  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  14.9  acres.  Hay 
light.  Clean  upper  portion  of  main  channel  and  ditch  1/150.  Footage, 
4,300.     Cost,  $107.50. 

28.  Class  A.  Area  less  than  i  acre.  No  hay.  Requires  i  main  and  i 
cross  ditch.    Footage,  500.    Cost,  $12.50. 

29.  Class  E.  Area,  3.2  acres.  Black  grass  hay.  Clean  main  ditch, 
1,000  feet.    Cost,  $25.00. 

30.  Class  E.  Area  3.2  acres.  No  hay.  Ditch  1/200,  footage,  650. 
Cost,  $16.25. 

31.  Class  D.  Area,  3.9  acres.  A  little  hay.  Ditch  1/200,  spaced  closer 
toward  eastern  end.    Footage,  800.    Cost,  $20.00. 

32.  Class  C.  Area  less  than  i  acre.  Hay  good.  Has  ditching  system 
which  is  badly  clogged.    If  opened  would  be  sufficient.    Cost,  $10.00. 

33.  Smaller  lagoon  at  Fenwick  Point.  Shores  of  this  lagoon  are  a 
Class  D  salt  marsh.  Area,  1.9.  Edges  here  should  be  cleaned  up  and  the 
material  thrown  back  upon  the  marsh  which  should  then  be  ditched  i/ioo. 
Footage,  800.  If  it  is  decided  to  excavate  this  marsh  sufficiently  to  add  to 
the  lagoon  and  use  excavated  material  to  fill  in  other  portions  so  that 
marsh  is  entirely  abolished  a  special  estimate  will  have  to  be  prepared. 

The  costs  of  ditching  as  laid  out  will  be  about  $20.00. 

34.  Fenwick  Point  marsh  and  larger  lagoon.  This  is  a  Class  B  marsh 
with  50  per  cent,  breeding.  Area,  25.3  acres.  Hay  of  little  value.  Drain, 
1/150.  Footage,  7,300.  Cost,  $182.50.  Probably  it  will  be  necessary  to 
lower  outlet  by  removing  rocks  below  bridge  (a  small  job)  and  to  install 
tide  gates  at  that  point.  Measurements :  Distance  across  bridge,  13  feet. 
Height  from  stream  bed  to  bridge  head,  6  feet.  Depth  of  water  at  high 
tide,  4^  feet.  Bottom  sand  and  rock.  Runway  rock-faced,  tight  enough 
to  support  gate.  The  cost  of  such  a  gate  would  probably  not  exceed 
$50.00,  including  deepening  of  channel  below.  A  desirable  way  in  which  to 
treat  this  whole  marsh  would  be  to  erect  a  sod  dike  around  the  lagoon 
and  along  the  stream  draining  it,  put  in  a  tide  gate  as  indicated  and  fill 
in  the  marsh  with  material  from  the  channel  the  next  time  it  is  dredged. 
Total  cost  of  ditching  and  tide  gate,  $232.50. 


1 8  CONNECTICUT    EXPERIMENT    STATION    BULLETIN    189. 

35.  Class  E,  but  a  single  bad  B  area  as  indicated  by  X.  Area,  8.4  acres. 
Hay  in  pockets  is  good  but  along  shore  is  valueless.  Ditches  1/300. 
Footage,  1,200.    Cost,  $30.00. 

36.  Class  B  west  of  creek,  D  east.  Area,  13  acres.  Salt  grass  hay. 
Clean  old  ditches  and  add  equal  amount  of  new  to  connect  with  2>7-  Old 
ditches,  1,500;  new  ditches,  i,Soo.  Cost:  old  ditches,  $37.50;  new  ditches, 
$37.50.    Total,  $75.00. 

37.  Class  D,  possibly  B.  Area,  i  acre.  Hay  fair.  Clean  ditches  (400 
feet)  and  open  culvert.  May  be  necessary  to  enlarge  this  culvert.  Cost 
for  cleaning  ditches,  $10.00. 

38.  Class  E.  A-  few  small  B  places.  Area,  Z-'^'  acres.  Hay  black  grass. 
Ditch  1/250  but  spaced  according  to  necessity.    Footage,  800.    Cost,  $20.00. 

39.  Class  D.  Area,  17.5.  Good  hay.  Ditch  1/200  where  needed. 
Footage,  3,600.    Cost,  $90.00. 

40.  Class  E.  Area,  7.1  acres.  Hay  doubtful.  No  treatment  required 
beyond  keeping  ditches  open. 

North  Cove  and  Church  House  Marshes. 

41.  Class  D.  Area,  51.2  acres.  Salt  and  black  grass  hay.  Upper  end 
of  many  branches  covered  with  cat-tails.  This  area  has  a  good  ditching 
system,  but  ditches  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned  and  opened,  or  in  a  few 
years  marsh  will  be  in  bad  shape.  A  marginal  ditch  should  be  dug  around 
whole  meadow  to  look  after  casual  breeding  along  inner  end  and  ditches 
to  main  creek  should  be  dug  into  ends  at  a,  b,  c  and  d.  Footage,  old 
ditches  to  be  cleaned,  7,000  more  or  less.  New  ditches,  10,000  more  or 
less.  Cost:  cleaning  old  ditches,  $100.00;  digging  new  ones,  $250.00. 
Total,  $350.00. 

42.  Class  D.  Area,  3.2  acres.  Hay  good.  Requires  ditching  1/150 
and  a  marginal  ditch.    Footage,  1,000.    Cost,  $25.00. 

43.  Class  E.  Area,  2.6  acres.  To  clean  existing  ditches  is  enough. 
Cost,  $10.00-$ 1 5.00. 

44.  Class  E.    Area  less  than  an  acre.     No  treatment  required. 

45.  Class  E.  Largely  cat-tails,  upper  end  potential  fresh  water  and 
malarial  breeder.  Area,  3.2  acres.  Open  main  channel  2x3  feet  through 
46  to  cove.    Footage,  1,200.    Cost,  $60.00. 

46.  Class  D.  Area,  12.9  acres.  Good  hay.  Marsh  fairly  well  ditched, 
but  new  ones  should  be  spaced  between  existing  ones  where  distance 
exceeds  400  feet  between  them.    Footage,  2,000,  more  or  less.    Cost,  $50.00. 

47.  Church  House  Lot.  Class  D,  a  few  B  or  C  areas  as  indicated  by  X. 
Otherwise  breeding  is  casual.  Area,  309  acres.  Inner  edge  largely  cat- 
tails and  most  of  larger  ditches  are  bordered  by  them  or  equivalent  vegeta- 
tion.   Outer  portions  mostly  black  grass ;    other  parts  excellent  salt  grass. 


SURVEY  OF  TOWN  OF  OLD  SAYBROOK.  1 9 

By  cleaning  old  ditches  and  cutting  new  ones  where  distance  between 
present  ones  exceeds  400  feet,  area  could  be  made  mosquito  proof. 
Footage  required,  2,500.     Cost,  $62.50. 

48.  Island  part  of  Church  House  Lot,  Class  E.  Area,  19.4  acres. 
Mostly  black  grass  hay.  A  1/300  ditching  system  would  drain  a  few  poten- 
tial breeding  pools  and  improve  the  hay.    Footage,  2,500.     Cost,  $62.50. 

Marshes  North  of  Railroad  Line. 

49.  Class  D.  Area,  29.8  acres.  Mostly  good  black  grass  hay  but  there 
are  a  few  bad  breeding  corners  as  indicated  by  Xs.  The  ditches  in  some 
of  them  are  badly  clogged  and  are  breeding  both  Cule.v  and  Anopheles. 
These  should  be  cleaned  carefully  and  a  new  1/200  system  opened.  Foot- 
age :  old  ditches,  2,000 ;  new,  6,200.  Cost :  old  ditches,  $20.00,  new, 
$155.00.    Total,  $175.00. 

50.  Class  D.  Area,  12.9  acres.  Distinctly  a  salt  marsh  but  now  breed- 
ing fresh  water  mosquitoes  in  clogged  ditches.  Hay,  red  salt  grass.  Open 
old  ditches  and  ditch  1/200.  Footage:  old  ditches,  1,600;  new  ditches, 
2,600.    Cost :   old  ditches,  $20.00 ;   new  ditches,  $65.00.    Total  cost,  $85.00. 

51.  Class  D.  Area,  32.4  acres.  Lower  end  (north)  brackish,  upper 
end  (south)  practically  fresh,  breeds  Culex  and  Anopheles  and  might 
easily  become  a  plague  spot  although  not  now  bad.  Is  classed  as  a  salt 
marsh  because  of  its  vegetation,  A  main  ditch  4x4  feet  square  and  an 
outlet  cut  under  Ferry  Road  to  49  would  probably  be  sufficient.  Footage 
of  ditch  required,  1,800.  Cost,  $300.00,  more  or  less.  Cost  of  culvert 
under  road,  $150.00,  more  or  less.    Total,  $450.00,  more  or  less. 

52.  Class  E.  Area,  110.8  acres.  Largely  cat-tail  (outer  portion)  and 
3-square  grass  (inner)  brackish,  breeds  both  salt  and  fresh  water  mos- 
quitoes. To  render  entirely  safe  a  1/200  ditching  system  required  but  as 
compared  with  other  areas  scarcely  worth  doing.     Pootage,  23,000.     Cost, 

$575.00. 

Fresh  Water  Breeding  Areas. 

Although  no  special  attempt  was  made  to  study  the  fresh  water 
breeding  places  of  the  town,  enough  were  seen  to  warrant  a  brief 
description  of  them,  together  with  a  few  general  comments. 

Malarial  Breeding  Places,  Practically  all  fresh  water  breed- 
ing places  examined  are  capable  of  breeding  the  Anopheles  or 
malarial  mosquito,  and  wherever  sufficient  search  was  made  they 
were  found  breeding.  That  Saybrook  (and  the  same  is  true  of 
Lyme)  does  not  suffer  extensively  from  malaria  is  apparently 
due  to  the  absence  of  the  disease  itself  rather  than  to  the  absence 
of  its  hosts.  Certainly  the  stage  is  set  for  an  epidemic  and  should 
a  sufficient  number  of  cases  become  established  the  disease  would 
probably  speedily  become  widespread. 


20  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT   STATION    BULLETIN    189. 

Advisability  of  Controlling  Fresh  Water  Breeding  Places. 

As  far  as  obtaining  freedom  from  the  mosquito  nuisance  is  con- 
cerned little  or  nothing  would  be  accomplished  save  here  and 
there  locally  to  do  away  with  the  fresh  water  breeding  areas, 
although  the  menace  of  malaria  would  be  eliminated.  On  the 
other  hand,  to  abolish  the  salt  marsh  breeding  areas  and  leave 
the  fresh  water  ones  untouched  would  practically  abate  the 
nuisance  except  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  the  fresh  water 
areas  but  would  do  nothing  to  eliminate  the  danger  of  malaria. 

In  case  funds  are  not  forthcoming  to  do  both,  it  is  our  opinion 
that  some  of  the  salt  marshes  up  the  river  could  be  safely 
neglected  and  the  money  necessary  to  ditch  them  be  spent  instead 
on  some  of  the  large  and  more  important  fresh  water  areas  near 
the  village. 

Kinds  of  Fresh  Water  Breeding  Places.  There  are  several 
kinds  of  fresh  water  breeding  places  in  Saybrook :  ( i )  The  inland 
ends  of  many  of  the  salt  marshes  are  often  fresh  or  at  least  only 
faintly  brackish.  These  are  often  cat-tail  areas.  They  are  gen- 
erally not  very  serious  breeders  and  can  best  be  treated  along 
with  the  salt  marshes  of  which  they  are  really  a  part. 

Open  Fresh  Marshes.  Many  of  these  are  covered  with  cat- 
tails, but  are  frequently  bad  breeding  areas  and  produce  many 
malarial  mosquitoes.    They  must  be  ditched  or  otherwise  treated. 

Wooded  Marshes.  These  are  apt  to  breed  mosquitoes  only 
early  in  the  season  and  are  seldom  of  much  importance — at  least 
so  long  as  the  other  areas  are  untreated. 

Sink  Holes.  Sometimes  these  areas  are  swampy  and  some- 
times are  open  pools  or  puddles.  The  latter  are  usually  less 
troublesome.  The  best  treatment  of  sink  holes  is  to  fill  them. 
By  the  use  of  a  team  and  a  drag  scraper  such  an  operation  is 
not  expensive,  and  at  a  trifling  expense  an  area  capable  of  cultiva- 
tion takes  the  place  of  a  breeding  hole.  When  filling  is  not 
practicable  an  outlet  should  be  provided. 

Edges  of  Sluggish  Streams.  These  are  sometimes  bad 
breeding  places  for  malarial  mosquitoes  but  there  seem  to  be 
few  places  of  this  kind  in  Saybrook. 

Following  is  a  brief  description  of  some  of  the  important  fresh 
water  breeding  places  west  of  the  Connecticut  River.  The  esti- 
mates of  cost  are  very  rough  but  should  come  within  30  per  cent. 


SURVEY  OF  TOWN  OF  OLD  SAYBROOK.  2  1 

The  total  estimated  cost  of  treating  the  fresh  water  breeding 
places  is  $1,175.00,  not  including  the  Essex  marsh. 

Description  of  Individual  Fresh  Water  Breeding  Areas. 
F  I.     Open  marsh,   semi-permanent  breeder.     Open  main  drain  into  2. 
Footage,  1,600.    Cost,  $50.00,  more  or  less. 

F  2.  Lily  pond  and  open  swamp,  permanent  breeder.  Lower  the  out- 
let to  pond  so  as  to  drain  swamp.  (Not  an  expensive  job.  Cost,  perhaps, 
$25.00.) 

F3.  Fresh  water  pond  hole,  constant  breeder  on  small  scale.  Open 
channel  to  salt  marsh  50  feet  away.     Cost,  perhaps,  $35.00. 

F  4.     Pond  hole  once  connected  with  marsh  at  10.    Reopen  ditch. 

F  5.  Two  wooded  sink  holes  each  about  100  feet  in  diameter.  Per- 
manent or  semi-permanent  breeders!^  Fill  to  depth  of  4  feet,  moving  earth 
from  surrounding  banks.  Requires  movement  of  2,000  cubic  yards  of 
earth.  The  cost  of  moving  with  drag  scraper  would  be  about  10  cents 
per  yard  or  about  $200.00. 

F  6.  Two  wooded  sink  holes.  Permanent  or  semi-permanent  breeders. 
Their  treatment  would  be  rather  expensive  as  it  would  be  necessary  either 
to  cut  off  the  timber  and  scrape  earth  into  them,  or  else  to  cart  it  from 
a  distance.  A  25-foot  bank  lies  between  them  and  the  salt  marsh,  calling 
for  considerable  excavating  which  would  make  it  expensive  to  open  an 
outlet.    It  would  probably  cost  $250.00. 

F  7.  Wooded  sink  hole,  permanent  or  semi-permanent  breeder.  Open 
drain  to  salt  marsh  at  17,  100  feet  away.    Cost,  $25.00,  more  or  less. 

F  8.  Pond  hole  semi-permanent  breeder.  Dig  drain  into  salt  marsh 
at  17,  some  60  feet  distant.    Cost,  $15.00,  more  or  less. 

Fg.  Pond  hole,  permanent  or  semi-permanent  breeder.  Place  culvert 
under  roadway  to  salt  marsh  at  17,  some  25  feet  distant.  Cost,  with 
24-inch  tile  pipe,  about  $40.00. 

F  ID.  Swampy  pool  on  both  sides  of  Cornfield  Point  road.  Place 
culvert  under  old  roadway  to  drain  portion  east  of  highway  and  fill  the 
west  portion.     Cost  of  both  operations,  perhaps,  $60.00. 

F  II.  Pond  hole  100x50  feet  and  3  feet  deep.  Breeds  along  edges  and 
might  be  filled  but  unimportant  till  much  other  work  is  done. 

F 12.  Low  lying  grass  area.  Breeds  only  during  very  wet  seasons. 
150  feet  of  ditch,  12  x  18  inches  through  center  parallel  to  road,  and  a 
culvert  under  road  to  beach  would  probably  keep  this  area  dry.  Cost, 
probably  $15.00  to  $25.00. 


2  2  CONNECTICUT    EXPERIMENT    STATION    BULLETIN    189. 

F 13.  Fresh  water  lagoon  and  cat-tail  swamp  at  Saybrook  Point. 
Area  of  swamp,  6.5  acres.  Breeds  whenever  water  stands  in  the  cat-tails. 
It  would  be  futile  to  ditch  this  area  as  it  stands,  since  the  water  stands 
at  the  same  level  in  the  swamp  as  in  the  lagoon,  but  if  an  opening  were 
made  into  the  river  so  that  the  tide  would  rise  and  fall  in  the  lagoon, 
then  by  ditching  the  marsh  breeding  could  be  checked.  Footage  of  ditch 
required  for  marsh  would  be  1,300.  Cost,  at  2>^  cents  per  foot,  $19.50, 
The  cost  of  placing  culvert  under  railroad  might  be  as  high  as  $100.00. 
A  4-foot  tile  drain  would  not  be  too  big. 

F  14,  Small  fresh  water  and  cat-tail  swamp.  Requires  300  feet  of  main 
ditch  and  100  feet  cross  ditch  opening  into  a  culvert  draining  into  43. 
Cost,  $40.00,  or  less. 

F  15.  Fresh  water  cat-tail  swamp  and  shallow  lagoon  draining  into  46, 
through  ditch  parallel  with  railroad.  This  is  a  large  and  intensive  malarial 
breeding  place  and  should  have  attention.  The  drainage  ditch  is  rather 
badly  choked  and  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned.  Two-foot  drains  should 
then  be  dug  to  each  neck  of  marsh.  Total  footage,  2,500.  Cost,  $125.00. 
Cleaning  main  ditch,  $25.00. 

F  16.  Open  fresh  marsh.  Drainage  badly  choked.  Open  up  drain  to 
outlet  from  F  15.    Length,  500  feet.    Cost,  $15.00,  more  or  less. 

F  17.  Fresh  marsh,  upper  end  wooded,  lower  end  covered  with  cat-tail. 
Open  up  channel  into  creek  in  47. 

F  18.  Large  marsh  back  of  railroad  station  at  Saybrook  Junction  with 
growth  of  wood  and  cat-tail.  In  wet  seasons  it  may  breed  mosquitoes, 
enough  to  be  dangerous  and  annoying;  in  an  ordinary  season  it  may  give 
no  trouble  at  all.  The  only  remedy  is  to  open  up  the  main  channels  and 
add  laterals  if  it  becomes  necessary.  The  main  channels  are  about  6,000 
feet  long,  and  it  might  cost  $150.00  to  clean  and  open  them. 

F  19.     Small  wooded  marsh  of  little  consequence. 

F  20.     Small  pond  edged  with  cat-tails  and  swamp.     Clean  up  the  edges. 

F  21  and  22.  Cat-tail  swamps.  Too  small  and  remote  to  be  of  con- 
sequence. 

F  23.  Essex  Marsh  area,  155  acres.  Vegetation,  cat-tails  and  sedges 
of  various  kinds.  At  time  of  visit  water  stood  over  whole  marsh  and  it 
was  in  condition  to  breed  fresh  water  mosquitoes  abundantlj^  However, 
in  a  dry  season  it  probably  would  be  much  less  dangerous.  This  marsh 
even  at  its  worst  is  probably  of  little  importance  to  Old  Saybrook  and 
Old  Lyme.  There  would  be  ho  difficulty  about  draining  it.  A  1/200 
system  should  be  sufficient.  Footage,  32,000.  Cost  at  2j^  cents  per  foot, 
$000.00. 


SURVEY   OF    TOWNS    OF    LYME    AND    OLD   LYME.  23 

Summary  of  Costs  for  Saybrook. 
Area i, 373-5  acres 

Cost  of  cleaning  old  ditches  $   405.00 

Footage  of  lateral  ditches,  236,500 ;   cost 5,912.00 

Footage,  2'  x  3',  secondary  ditches,  10,720;    cost 538.00 

Footage,  larger  special  ditches,  3,100;   cost 430.00 

Tide  gates,  culverts,  etc. ;    cost  540.00 

Total  for  salt  marshes  $7,825.00 

Total  for  fresh  marshes 1,175.00 

Total  for  town  of  Old  Saybrook $9,000.00 

Essex  Marshes 900.00 

Total  west  of  River $9,900.00 

Average  cost  per  acre  for  work  on  salt  marshes  is  estimated  at  $5.70. 

Notes  on  Townships  of  Lyme  and  Old  Lyme. 

The  salt  marshes  of  Lyme  may  be  divided  not  altogether 
arbitrarily  into  the  following  groups : 

Great  Island,  Nos.  i-6  inclusive. 

Back  River,  Nos.  7-10  inclusive. 

Lieutenant  River,  Nos.  11-15  inclusive. 

Up-river  marshes,  Nos.  16-19  inclusive. 

Duck  River  and  Black  Hall  marsh,  Nos.  20-32  inclusive. 

Black  Hall  River  marshes,  Nos.  33-56  inclusive. 

Shore  marshes,  Nos.  57-75  inclusive. 

Of  these  groups  the  Great  Island,  Duck  River  and  Black  Hall, 
and  Black  Hall  River  marshes  are  the  most  important.  The 
Lieutenant  River  and  Back  River  marshes  are  of  little  impor- 
tance despite  their  proximity  to  the  settled  portions  of  the  town, 
owing  to  their  character,  while  the  up-river  marshes  are  both 
remote  and  sparse-breeding.  The  shore  marshes  are  some  of 
them  bad  breeders  but  constitute  a  separate  problem  for  the  people 
of  Sound  View,  South  Lyme  and  the  various  shore  resorts  of 
the  section,  and  east  of  the  Mill  Creek  marsh  the  shore  marshes 
might  be  safely  disregarded  as  far  as  their  efifect  on  the  village 
of  Old  Lyme  is  concerned. 

The  fresh  water  breeding  areas  of  Lyme,  excepting  along  the 
south  shore,  are  chiefly  at  the  upper  ends  of  the  salt  marshes  and 


24  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT   STATION    BULLETIN    189. 

will  largely  be  taken  care  of  along  with  them.  Along  the  south 
shore  some  of  the  old  salt  marshes  which  have  become  fresh 
require  special  treatment  as  has  been  mentioned  under  the  detailed 
descriptions. 

Although  the  notes  for  fresh  and  salt  breeding  areas  are  not 
separated  in  the  summary,  they  are  so  far  as  possible  tabulated 
under  different  headings. 

Much  of  the  introductory  matter  given  for  Saybrook  (see  page 
12)  also  applies  to  Lyme. 


Detailed  Description  of  Individual  Breeding  Areas  in  Lyme 
AND  Old  Lyme  Townships. 

Great  Island  Marsh. 

1.  Class  C  except  at  Xs  where  moderate-sized  B  areas  exist  and  near 
the  north  end  where  there  is  an  E  cat-tail  area.  Except  on  this  area  hay 
is  good  red  top.  Area,  171. i  acres.  The  creek  branches  much  more  than 
is  shown  on  map,  extending  nearly  to  the  lower  islands,  but  is  rather 
clogged  with  vegetation.  It  should  be  cleaned  out  and  a  1/200  system 
installed  with  reference  to  it  and  to  the  shore.  Footage,  35,590.  Cost, 
$889.75.  The  cost  of  cleaning  out  the  creek  can  only  be  guessed  at,  but  I 
should  think  it  might  cost  $200.00,  more  or  less.    Total  cost,  $1,089.75. 

2.  Class  D,  a  few  small  B  spots.  Area,  15.6  acres.  Excellent  black 
grass  hay.  Will  not  require  more  than  1/300  ditching  spaced  so  as  to 
drain  individual  breeding  places.    Footage,  2,750.    Cost,  $68.75. 

3.  Class  C.  Good  salt  and  black  grass  hay.  Area,  46  acres.  Ditch 
1/200.    Footage,  9,570.    Cost,  $239.75. 

4.  Class  C.  Hay  fair  along  lower  end,  excellent  at  upper  end.  Area, 
ZZ  acres.  Requires  ditching  1/200  average  but  rather  closer  at  the  lower 
end.    Footage,  6,860.    Cost,  $171.50. 

5.  Class  C,  except  at  X  which  is  B.  Area,  16.8  acres.  Poor  quality 
salt  grass  hay.     Requires,   1/150  ditching  system.     Footage,  4,870.     Cost, 

$121.75. 

6.  Class  C,  except  at  X  which  is  B,  an  acre  or  so  of  solid  95  per  cent, 
breeding.  Area,  36.9  acres.  Upper  end  good  black  grass  hay  but  of  course 
many  holes  and  small  grass  breeding  depressions  exist.  Requires  ditching 
1/200.    Footage,  7,670.    Cost,  $191.75. 

Note.  The  total  area  of  Great  Island  is  319.4  acres  and  the  estimated 
cost  of  ditching  and  other  improvements  is  $1,882.75. 


SURVEY    OF   TOWNS    OF   LYME   AND   OLD   LYME.  25 

Back  River  Marshes. 

7.  Nameless  island,  Class  D.  On  east  side  of  the  island  chiefly  wild 
rice  grows,  on  the  west  side  black  grass.  Area,  29.8  acres.  Western  side 
requires  ditching  1/200.    Footage  required,  3,100.     Cost,  $77.50. 

8.  Class  D,  but  scattering  non-breeding  areas.  Chiefly  cat-tail  covered, 
rest  hay  grasses.  Area,  135.4  acres.  Requires  1/300  ditching.  Footage, 
19,630.    Cost,  $490.75. 

9.  Class  D.  Black  and  salt  grass  hay.  Area,  42.1  acres.  Clean  old 
ditches  and  add  1/200  new  ones.  Footage :  old  ditches,  700,  more  or  less ; 
new  ditches,  8,760.  Cost:  cleaning  old  ditches,  $17.50;  digging  new  ones, 
$209.00.    Total,  $226.50. 

ID.  Class  D,  except  the  portion  above  railroad  embankment  which  is  B. 
Area,  48.8  acres.  Black  grass  and  cat-tails.  Main  channel  in  portion 
above  railroad  should  be  opened,  length  200  feet,  and  made  2x3  feet  and 
200  feet  of  laterals  dug.  If  it  proves  necessary  a  tide  gate  should  be  hung 
on  the  culvert  under  the  railroad.  Cost,  $25.00,  more  or  less.  The  main 
marsh  should  be  ditched  1/200  but  by  using  present  ditches  the  total 
amount  can  be  reduced  probably  30  per  cent.  Footage  required,  7,100. 
Footage,  2  x  3-foot  ditch,  200.  Cost,  at  5  cents  per  foot,  $10.00.  Cost, 
lateral  ditches,  $177.50.    Total  cost,  $185.50. 

Lieutenant  River  Marsh. 

11.  Class  D,  possibly  rarely  breeds  as  a  B  area.  Area,  9.7  acres.  Good 
salt  and  black  grass  hay.  Requires  ditching  1/125.  Footage,  3,200.  Cost, 
$80.00. 

12.  Class  D.  Area,  32.4  acres.  About  40  per  cent,  of  this  area  is 
covered  with  cat-tails  which  follow  the  creeks  and  ditches  and  cover  most 
of  the  ends  and  pockets,  thus  preventing  them  from  being  bad  breeders. 
Outside  of  this  the  vegetation  is  mostly  of  hay  grasses.  Channels  should 
be  opened  into  the  various  ends  and  ditches  dug  in  spaces  where  distance 
between  existing  ditches  exceeds  400  feet.  Estimated  footage  of  2x3 
ditch  200,  of  laterals  3,500,  more  or  less.  Cost,  2  x  3-foot  ditch,  $10.00; 
laterals,  $87.50.    Total,  $97.50. 

13.  Class  D.  .Area,  16.2  acres.  Hay  good.  Requires  1/200  ditching. 
Footage,  3,370.    Cost,  $84.25. 

14.  Class  D.  Area,  32.4  acres.  Partly  cat-tails ;  rest  good  hay. 
Requires  ditches  into  dead  ends  and  1/200  system.  Footage,  6,740.  Cost, 
$168.50. 

15.  Class  D,  or  possibly  E.  Upper  Lieutenant  River  Marsh ;  lower  end 
salt;  upper  brackish  or  perhaps  entirely  fresh.  Vegetation  mostly  cat- 
tails and  sedges  of  various  kinds,  the  two  being  about  equally  divided. 
Approximate  acreage,  162  acres.  The  lower  end  of  this  marsh  is  a  typical 
Class  D  area.     Above,  where  it  is  brackish  or  fresh  it  may  breed  fresh 


26  CONNECTICUT    EXPERIMENT    STATION    BULLETIN    189. 

water  species  more  or  less,  but  owing  to  its  remoteness  could  possibly  be 
neglected.  To  properly  ditch  this  marsh  would  require  a  1/200  system. 
Footage,  33,700.  Cost,  $842.50.  Probably  one-third  of  this  sum  spent  on 
the  lower  end  would  be  sufficient. 

Up-River  Marshes. 

16.  Calves  Island.  Class  E,  with  few  B  spots  as  indicated.  Area,  44.1 
acres.  A  typical  salt  marsh;  vegetation  mostly  black  grass.  This  area  is 
probably  seldom  flooded.  A  1/300  ditching  system,  spacing  ditches  so  as  to 
drain  individual  pools  would  be  sufficient.    Footage,  6,390.    Cost,  $159.75. 

17.  Goose  Island.  Class  E.  Area,  88.8  acres.  Mostly  cat-tails  except 
along  eastern  shore  where  it  is  an  old  black  grass  marsh,  but  is  being 
rapidly  overrun  by  cat-tails.  This  outer  area  might  breed  more  or  less 
but  a  system  of  1/200  ditches  extending  150  feet  back  from  shore  would 
be  sufficient  to  drain  it.    Footage,  3,000.     Cost,  $75.00. 

18.  Lord's  Cove  Marsh.  Class  E.  Area,  492.5  acres.  Lower  end  black 
grass  and  cat-tails ;  upper  3-square  grass  and  cat-tails.  The  latter  together 
with  similar  forms  of  vegetation  cover  more  than  50  per  cent,  of  the 
marsh  and  are  increasing.  They  follow  the  hay  ditches  and  small  creeks 
and  are  constantly  encroaching  still  further  on  the  general  surface  of  the 
marsh.  Wherever  possible  hay  is  still  collected  and  the  yield  is  high. 
The  general  character  of  this  area  is  a  low,  occasionally  flooded  meadow, 
yet  even  at  its  north  end  it  is  distinctly  brackish  in  character.  It  is  flooded 
only  by  heavy  rains  and  freshets.  Occasional  depressions  breed  salt 
marsh  mosquitoes  in  more  or  less  abundance.  The  highest  point  of  salt 
marsh  breeding  actually  found  was  opposite  the  north  end  of  Nott's  Island, 
as  shown  by  cross  on  map.  In  a  dry  season  it  would  probably  breed  very 
few  mosquitoes.  The  only  treatment  that  this  marsh  requires  is  to  clean 
some  of  the  smaller  ditches  and  to  dig  new  ones  here  and  there  to  drain 
individual  breeding  areas.  Footage,  10,000.  Cost,  $250.00.  Very  rough 
estimate. 

19.  Nott's  Island.  A  reclaimed  marsh  used  for  hay  farming.  A  few 
depressions  near  middle  of  lower  half  of  the  island  are  breeding  salt  marsh 
mosquitoes  but  in  a  dry  season  would  probably  not  do  so.  A  thorough 
cleaning  of  existing  ditches  and  a  new  median  ditch  would  not  onh-  render 
this  area  non-breeding  but  would  improve  its  hay  yiel'd.  Footage ;  old 
ditches  needing  cleaning  4,000;  (rough  approximation)  new  ditches,  1,000. 
Cost:  cleaning  old  ditches,  $40.00;  digging  new  ones,  $50.00.  Total, 
$90.00. 

Duck  River  and  Black  Hall  Marshes. 

20.  Lower  Duck  River  Marsh.  Class  D.  Area,  27.2  acres.  Sedge  grass 
hay,  but  is  used.  Clean  existing  ditches,  particularly  those  running  into  the 
various  ends,  and  ditch  1/200.     Footage,  S,66o.     Cost,  $141.50. 

21.  Upper  Duck  River,  Nos.  21,  22  and  23,  Class  B.  Ten  per  cent, 
breeding  surface.    Area,  12.3  acres.    Upper  portion  and  edges  brackish  and 


SURVEY    OF    TOWNS    OF   LYME    AND    OLD   LYME.  27 

covered  with  cat-tail.  Hay  poor.  Open  creek  for  200  feet  toward  upper 
end  and  clean  culvert  under  roadway.  Ditch  i/ioo.  Footage,  5,120.  A 
tide  gate  at  the  highway  bridge  may  prove  necessary  here.  A  small  fresh 
water  lily  pond  drains  immediately  into  this  area.  It  is  a  potential  malarial 
breeder  on  a  considerable  scale.  The  edges  should  be  cleaned  and  the 
swamp  at  its  upper  end  dug  out.  Cost :  lily  pond,  $100.00 ;  main  creek 
and  culvert  work,  $35.00;  lateral  ditches,  $128.00.  Total,  $265.00.  Tide 
gate,  if  necessary,  $50.00. 

22.  Class  B,  10  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  7.8  acres.  Upper  end 
cat-tail  and  wooded  swamp.  Straighten  main  creek  and  ditch  i/ioo.  Foot- 
age, 3,240.     Total  cost,  $81.00. 

23.  Fresh  marsh.  Three-square  grass  and  some  cat-tails.  Area,  16.2 
acres.  Probably  always  contains  a  few  breeding  places  but  particularly 
bad  at  this  time  owing  to  rains  and  unsatisfactory  condition  of  salt  marsh 
below.  Clean  main  creek  at  lower  end.  This  means  digging  a  2  x  3-foot 
channel  1,000  feet  long.  Cut  1/200  laterals.  Footage,  3,370.  Cost,  at  23/2 
cents  per  foot,  $84.25.  Main  creek,  at  5  cents  per  foot,  $50.00.  Total, 
$134-25. 

24.  Class  E.  Area,  3.2  acres.  Excellent  black  grass  hay  but  ditch  is 
almost  blocked  and  if  not  cleaned  area  will  deteriorate  rapidly.  Footage 
required,  250.    Cost,  $10.00. 

25.  Down-stream  portion.  Class  D;  up-stream,  B.  Area,  g.i  acres. 
Hay  is  cut.    Ditch  1/150.    Footage,  2,640.    Cost,  $66.00. 

26.  Well  ditched  fresh  marsh  now  largely  reclaimed;  satisfactory  so 
long  as  ditches  are  kept  open. 

27.  Pond  hole  200  feet  long,  50  feet  wide.  Intensive  breeder  of  both 
salt  and  fresh  water  species  of  mosquitoes.  Open  outlet  to  salt  marsh  at 
25  to  connect  with  ditching  system  there.  Length  required,  100  feet. 
Height  of  land  between,  2  feet.    Cost  of  2' x  3'  ditch,  approximately,  $15.00. 

28.  Class  D.  Area,  9.1  acres.  Hay  good.  Ditch  1/150.  Footage,  2,640. 
Cost,  $66.00. 

29.  Fresh  cat-tail  marsh.  Area,  i  acre.  Potential  malarial  mosquito 
breeder  of  considerable  size.  Culvert  under  roadway  at  lower  end  too 
small.  Cost  of  enlarging,  perhaps  $100.00.  Main  channel  needs  cleaning, 
300  feet;  cost,  $15.00.  Laterals,  1/150.  Footage,  290.  Cost,  $7.25.  Total 
cost,  $122.25. 

30.  Upper  end  of  29  above  railroad.  In  wet  weather  fresh  water  and 
malarial  mosquito  breeder.  Requires  main  ditch  and  lateral  ditch  parallel 
to  railroad  embankment,  with  possible  enlargement  of  culvert  under  rail- 
road.   Footage,  250  feet  more  or  less.    Cost  of  ditch  work,  $io.oo-$i5.oo. 

31.  Class  D.  Area,  3.2  acres.  Clean  main  ditch  (length  200  feet)  and 
ditch  1/150.  Footage,  930.  Cost:  cleaning  creek,  $10.00;  lateral  ditches, 
$23.25.    Total,  $33-20. 


28  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT    STATION    BULLETIN    189. 

32.  Class  D.  Area,  6.5  acres.  Hay  good.  Ditch  1/150.  Footage,  1,880. 
Cost,  $47.00. 

Black  Hall  River  Marshes. 
33-     Class  C,  with  B  area  as  indicated.    Area,  14.3  acres.     Yields  good 
hay  but  could  not  be  machine  cut.     Ditch,   1/150.     Footage,  4,150.     Cost, 
$103.75. 

34.  Class  B,  with  50  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  89.4  acres.  This 
is  one  of  the  worst  breeding  areas  encountered  in  the  whole  survey;  cer- 
tainly the  worst  in  Lyme,  not  so  much  because  of  the  percentage  of  breed- 
ing surface  as  because  it  seems  to  breed  regularly  with  every  tide.  In 
rainy  seasons  such  as  the  present  it  probably  breeds  as  a  Qass  A  area. 
Hay  almost  worthless.  Many  of  the  dead  ends  on  the  eastern  side  require 
i/ioo  laterals  as  well  as  the  cleaning  of  the  central  ditches  into  them. 
Some  parts  of  the  area  will  require  only  1/200  ditching  but  the  average 
will  be  1/150.     Footage,  25,930.     Cost,  $648.25. 

35.  Class  E.  Area,  6.5  acres.  Excellent  hay.  Well  ditched  and  largely 
non-breeding  but  ditches  should  be  cleaned. 

36.  Fresh  marsh  fed  by  sluggish  stream.  Area,  2.5  acres.  Both  marsh 
and  stream  are  potential  malarial  breeders  on  a  considerable  scale.  The 
ditching  of  the  salt  marsh  at  34  and  opening  of  main  channel  through 
swamp  portion  would  go  a  long  way  toward  quickening  the  current  in  the 
stream.  The  swamp  should  be  ditched  1/150.  Footage:  main  ditch,  350; 
laterals,  720.  Cost:  main  ditch,  at  5  cents,  $17.50;  laterals,  at  2j4  cents, 
per  foot,  $18.00.    Total,  $37.50. 

37.  Class  D.  Area,  5.8  acres.  Hay  fair.  Ditch  1/150.  Footage,  1,680. 
Cost,  $42.00. 

38.  Class  A.  Area,  1.3  acres.  No  hay.  Open  drainage  ditch  along 
railroad  to  Black  Hall  River  at  39.  Footage,  250,  more  or  less.  Cost, 
$25.00.    Laterals,  200  feet.    Cost,  $5.00.    Total  cost,  $30.00. 

39.  Class  C.  Area,  6.5  acres.  Hay  crop  fair,  but  the  land  is  much  cut 
up  by  pools.    Ditch  1/150.    Footage,  1,880.    Cost,  $47.00. 

40.  Class  B,  25  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  2.6  acres.  Hay  fair. 
Ditch  1/150.    Footage,  750.     Cost,  $18.75. 

41.  Down-stream,  Class  B,  25  per  cent,  breeding;  up-stream,  D.  Area, 
ii.o  acres.  Red  top  and  black  grass  hay.  Ditch,  1/180  including  main 
ditch  into  pocket  which  runs  back  to  highway.  Footage,  2,520.  Cost, 
$63.00. 

42.  Class  D.  Area,  32.4  acres  (approximate).  The  upper  portion  of 
this  marsh  is  only  slightly  brackish  and  probably  breeds  fresh  water  as 
well  as  salt  water  mosquitoes.  Owing  to  its  remoteness  the  upper  portion 
of  this  marsh  could  be  neglected  if  funds  for  entire  eradication  measures 


SURVEY   OF   TOWNS    OF   LYME   AND   OLD   LYME.  29 

were  not  forthcoming.    Ditch,  1/200.    Footage  (approximate),  6,740.    Cost 
(roughly),  $168.50. 

43.  Open  alder  swamp  and  peat  bog.  Probably  a  bad  malarial  breeder 
but  too  remote  to  greatly  affect  settled  portions  of  town.  Open  up  course 
of  main  stream. 

44.  Red  maple  swamp.  Probably  a  semi-permanent  breeder.  Too 
remote  to  be  of  especial  consequence.    Clean  main  channel  into  42  and  43. 

45.  Class  E.  Area,  1.9  acres.  Good  non-breeding  black  grass  marsh. 
No  treatment  needed  at  present. 

46.  Class  D.  Area,  9.1  acres.  Fair  hay.  Ditch  1/200  spacing  irregu- 
larly as  required.    Footage,  1,890.    Cost,  $47.25. 

47.  Class  B,  50  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  14.9  acres.  Hay  fair. 
Ditch  i/ioo.     Footage,  6,200.     Cost,  $155.00. 

48.  Class  B,  25  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  1.9.  acres.  Open  main 
ditch  and  ditch  i/ioo.    Footage,  790.    Cost,  $19.75. 

49.  Class  C.  Outer  portion  Class  E.  Area,  6.5  acres.  Hay  good. 
Ditch  1/150.    Footage,  1,880.    Cost,  $47.00. 

50.  Brush  swamp,  a  casual  fresh  water  and  malarial  breeder.  Open 
outlet  to  salt  marsh  at  49.  Partial  overflow  outlet  already  exists.  Should 
be  lowered  at  least  2  feet.    Cost,  $15.00,  more  or  less. 

51.  Pond  hole.  Potential  malarial  breeder  on  a  large  scale.  A  ditch 
about  150  feet  long  carries  overflow  into  50.  If  this  ditch  were  lowered 
8  feet  it  would  probably  entirely  drain  this  area.  Cost,  $50.00,  more  or 
less. 

52.  Pond  hole.  Willows  along  border.  Potential  and  malarial  breeder 
on  considefable  scale.  Fill  to  depth  of  3  feet  and  repair  culvert  under 
railroad  to  carry  off  flood  water.  Requires  3,000  cubic  yards,  more  or  less, 
of  earth.    Cost  of  moving  earth,  $300.00,  more  or  less. 

53.  Wooded  marsh.  Potential  wet  weather  breeder  but  rather  remote 
to  be  of  much  consequence.  It  might  be  advisable  to  spend  $25.00,  more 
or  less,  to  open  up  outlet  in  48. 

54.  Class  B,  10  per  cent,  breeding  surface  (average),  but  varies  from 
o  to  100.  Upper  end  cat-tail  covered  and  Class  E  in  character.  Area, 
29.2  acres.  Ditch  1/200  average,  but  would  require  special  spacing  in 
some  cases.    Footage,  6,100.     Cost,  $152.50. 

55.  Class  B,  90  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  i  acre.  No  hay 
grasses.  Requires  single  main  ditch,  2x3  feet,  130  feet  long.  Cost,  at  5 
cents  per  foot,  is  $6.50. 

56.  Class  B,  25  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  3.2  acres.  No  value 
for  hay.    Marginal  and  outlet  ditch,  450  feet.     Cost,  $11.25. 


30  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT    STATION    BULLETIN    189. 

Shore  Marshes. 

57.  Class  B,  so  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  9.7  acres.  Produced 
only  a  poor  sedge  grass.  Has  good  primary  ditching  sys'tem  which  requires 
cleaning  and  addition  of  1/150  lateral  system.    Footage,  2,800.    Cost,  $70.00. 

58.  Class  B,  50  per  cent,  breeding  surface.  Area,  i  acre.  Hay,  poor 
salt  grass.  Requires  single  main  ditch  130  feet  long.  Cost,  at  2^  cents 
per  foot,  $3.25. 

59.  Class  A.  Area,  i  acre.  No  hay  of  any  value.  Requires  200  feet 
main  ditch,  at  2j4  cents  per  foot,  $5.00. 

Note.  The  Class  E  area  around  the  edges  of  the  cove  into  which  58  and 
59  drain  is  mostly  wild  rice  and  tidal  flat  and  may  be  safely  disregarded. 

60.  Fresh  water  swamp  hole  without  an  outlet.  Breeds  in  wet  seasons, 
more  or  less.    Treatment  would  be  difficult  and  expensive. 

61.  Salt  lagoon  and  marsh  without  outlet.  Marsh  is  Class  D.  Area, 
2.6  acres.  Extreme  tides  break  over  the  sand  beach,  fill  lagoon  and  flood 
the  swamp.  Drainage  only  by  seepage.  Fortunately  swamp  stands  about 
3  inches  above  what  appears  to  be  normal  level  of  lagoon  so  that  a  ditching 
system  is  possible.  Central  and  i/ioo  lateral  ditches.  Footage,  400.  Cost, 
$10.00. 

62.  Fresh  water  cat-tail  swamp.  Possibility  of  intensive  breeding  of 
both  salt  and  fresh  water  species.  An  outlet  might  be  opened  to  the  Sound 
but  it  would  be  somewhat  expensive  to  drain  this  area  and  it  is  doubtful 
whether  the  ditch  could  be  kept  open  any  length  of  time.  The  most 
satisfactory  remedy  would  be  to  fill  the  swamp,  but  this  also  would  be 
quite  expensive.  It  might  be  better  to  watch  it  carefully  for  a  season  to 
determine  fully  its  importance  before  doing  anything  with  it. 

63.  Fresh  water  cat-tail  swamp  with  small  lagoon  near  lower  end.  It 
might  prove  a  serious  fresh  water  and  malarial  mosquito  br.ee'der.  Two 
remedies  suggest  themselves:  (i)  to  restore  the  old  outlet  which  leads 
out  at  the  eastern  end,  and  (2)  to  dig  out  the  bottom  of  the  lagoon  so  as 
to  lower  the  water  level  enough  to  drain  the  swamp.  Either  would  be 
somewhat  expensive  and  perhaps  not  worth  while.  It  would  take  a  special 
and  careful  engineering  estimate  to  arrive  at  the  cost  of  either  method. 

64.  Wooded  marsh,  apparently  never  much  of  a  breeder  and  probably 
can  be  safely  disregarded. 

65.  Small  fresh  marsh  probably  of  some  local  importance.  Could  be 
filled  for  $100.00  or  less.  An  outlet  could  also  be  opened  to  the  Sound  but 
difficulty  would  be  experienced  in  keeping  it  open. 

66.  Fresh  water  lagoon  near,  shore  and  wooded  swamp  in  rear.  Prob- 
ably a  fresh  water  breeding  place  of  more  than  casual  importance,  but  a 
difficult  area  to  treat.  An  outlet  and  a  tide  gate  would  have  to  be  con- 
structed to  drain  it  and  it  would  also  be  necessary  to  place  bulkheads  on 


SURVEY    OF    TOWNS    OF    LYME   AND    OLD    LYME.  3 1 

each  side  of  outlet  channel  in  order  to  prevent  tidal  current  from  blocking 
this  outlet.  It  would  require  a  careful  and  special  estimate  to  arrive  at 
the  cost  of  such  measures.  Probably  it  would  be  well  to  observe  the  area 
carefully  over  a  full  season  in  order  to  determine  its  importance. 

67.  Mill  Creek  Salt  Marsh.  Class  B,  30  per  cent,  breeding  surface. 
Area,  60.9  acres,  below  railroad  tracks.  Mostly  sedge  grass  of  little  value 
for  hay.  The  outlet  of  this  marsh  is  at  present  blocked  by  a  wide  sand 
bar.  It  will  be  necessary  first  to  remove  this  bar  and  second  to  construct 
bulkheads  on  each  side  of  the  channel  where  it  passes  through  the  beach 
to  prevent  it  from  again  becoming  blocked.  These  bulkheads  should  be 
about  100  feet  long  and  constructed  of  piles  and  2-inch  plank.  The  cost  of 
materials  and  labor  would  be  about  $250.00.  The  cost  of  removing  the  bar 
at  a  very  rough  estimate  would  be  $.300.00.  The  marsh  itself  should  be 
ditched  1/150.    Footage,  12,700.     Cost,  $317.50.     Total,  $867.50. 

Note.  The  upper  portion  of  67  is  a  fresh  and  wooded  marsh  but  is  so 
remote  as  to  be  of  almost  no  consequence  and  was  not  specifically 
examined. 

68.  Lagoon  surrounded  by  a  Class  D  salt  marsh.  Upper  end  is  a  cat- 
tail and  3-square  grass  marsh.  Area  of  marsh,  19.4  acres.  A  tide  gate  in 
good  working  condition  controls  water  in  lagoon.  A  1/200  ditching  system 
should  be  installed  with  reference  to  the  lagoon.  Footage,  4,000.  Cost, 
$100.00. 

69.  Fresh  water  cat-tail  marsh  without  outlet.  Might  breed  extensively 
in  a  wet  season.    Is  now  partly  filled  and  work  should  be  continued. 

70.  Wooded  marsh,  casual  breeder  but  of  no  very  great  importance. 

71.  Small  marsh  area  of  little  importance. 

72.  Two  fresh  water  lagoons.  Might  breed  slightly  along  edges  and 
in  small  marsh  areas  at  upper  ends. 

73.  Series  of  fresh  water  ■  pools  back  of  railroad  track  potential 
malarial  breeders. 

74.  Small  salt  marsh  along  Four-Mile  River  above  railroad  track. 
Apparently  of  minor  importance  and  not  examined  specifically. 

Summary  of  Costs  for  Lyme. 
Fresh'  water  areas  which  were  estimated  separately   ....      $800.00 

Acreage  of  salt  and  brackish  marshes,  Old  Lyme i, 393-1 

"  "      "        "  "  "  Lyme    492.5 

Total  east  of  Connecticut  River 1,885.6 

Footage  of  lateral  ditch  required  275,000 

"  "    larger      "  "  200 


32  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT    STATION    BULLETIN    189. 

Cost  of  cleaning  old  ditches $   250.00 

"      "    lateral  ditches  6,850.00 

"      "    larger  ditches 50.00 

"      "   special  work  . . . ; 700.00 

•,«■■-••  

Total,  cost  for  salt  marshes  east  of  river $7,850.00 

Cost  for  Old  Lyme  only 7,600.00 

^         Total  cost  for  all  areas  estimated  east  of  river  . .  $8,650.00 
Cost  for  Old  Lyme  township  only 8,400.00 

Note.     Costs  rounded  to  nearest  $50.00  for  sake  of  convenience. 

Average  cost  per  acre  for  work  on  salt  marshes  in  Old 

Lyme  township $5-50 


University  oi 
Connecticut 

Libraries 


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